Sled with a calf-securing strap

ABSTRACT

A sled includes a hull and a strap extending transversely across the hull. The strap extends across the hull at a first longitudinal position selected such that it extends across the calves of a kneeling rider. This enables the rider to kneel erect when riding the sled.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/716,032, filed on Nov. 17, 2003, and a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/329,288, filed on Dec. 24, 2002, thecontents of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to sleds, and in particular, to sleds having arestraint system.

BACKGROUND

To a great extent, control over a moving sled is achieved by shiftingone's weight. When turning, for example, one leans in the direction ofthe turn. In negotiating bumpy terrain, one constantly leans forward andbackward in an effort to keep the sled on the snow.

In effect, the shifting of one's weight causes small, almostimperceptible perturbations in the position of an imaginary point,referred to as the center-of-mass. A rider's ability to quickly andprecisely control these perturbations permits the performance of variousstunts or acrobatic maneuvers on the sled.

A rider can shift the center of mass in three dimensions. By leaning toone side, the rider shifts the center-of-mass transversely. Leaningbackwards or forwards shifts the center-of-mass longitudinally, Sittingup straight or crouching shifts the center-of-mass vertically.

Known sleds, such as that disclosed in Sellers, U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,171,feature a strap extending transversely across the rider's knees. Thisstrap secures the rider's legs in a flexed position, and thereby limitsthe rider's ability to vertically adjust the center-of-mass.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention includes a sled having a hull and a strapextending transversely across the hull. The strap extends across thehull at a first longitudinal position selected such that it extendsacross the calves of a kneeling rider. This enables the rider to kneelerect when riding the sled.

In one embodiment, the strap is adjustable between the firstlongitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The secondlongitudinal position in this case can be selected such that when thestrap is extended across the hull the second longitudinal position, itextends across the thighs of a kneeling rider.

Another embodiment includes a first pair of transversely opposed anchorpoints on opposite sides of the hull for engaging respective first andsecond ends of the strap. The anchor points are disposed astern of ashin-receiving area on the hull such that the strap extends across thecalves of a kneeling rider.

In certain embodiments, an optional second pair of anchor points isdisposed to be adjacent to the shin-receiving area. A strap extendingbetween the anchor points of the second pair thus passes across thethighs of a kneeling rider.

In another aspect, the invention includes a sled having a hull and afirst pair of transversely opposed anchor points on opposite sides ofthe hull for engaging respective first and second ends of a strap. Theanchor points are disposed such that a strap extending between theanchor points extends across the calves of a kneeling rider.

One embodiment also includes a strap extending across the hull betweenthe anchor points.

In another embodiment, there is a second pair of transversely opposedanchor points on opposite side of the hull for engaging respective firstand second ends of a strap. The second pair of anchor points beinglongitudinally displaced relative to the first pair of anchor points.For example, the second pair of anchor points can be disposed such thata strap extending between the anchor points of the second pair extendsacross the thighs of the kneeling rider.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description and the accompanyingfigures, in which:

These and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description and the figures, inwhich:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are top and side view of a hull for a sled;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the hull shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 4-6 show a configuration for attaching a strap to the hull;

FIGS. 7-10 show sleds having variable-length straps;

FIG. 11 shows a sled having a strap configured to secure a rider'scalves; and

FIGS. 10-14 show sleds having center anchors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A downhill racing sled suitable for incorporating the features of theinvention described with particularity in Sellers, U.S. Pat. No.4,666,171, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the sled includes a one-piece elongated moldedhull 10, preferably of vacuum-molded thermoplastic. The hull 10 has abow or front-end, which is on the right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, anda stern, or rear-end, which is on the left as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2.Between the bow end and the stern end are a pair of optional contouredshin pads 40 on which a rider kneels while riding the sled.

The hull 10 presents a generally crescent-shaped profile, best seen inFIG. 2. An upper outwardly rolled molded edge of the hull 10 formscontinuous railing or gunwales 12 surrounding the hull 10. The gunwales12 are raised at the bow to afford handholds and to protect against theintrusion of snow. The bottom of the hull 10 while generally curved inprofile as shown in FIG. 2, includes certain features that enhance thesled's performance in deep snow.

Between the two runners 14 and 16, a main central channel 30 extendsalong a mid-line of the hull 10 from the bow to the stern withprogressively increasing depth as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The insideribs 20 and 22 define the edges of the channel 30 and are slightlyoutwardly flared with gradually increasing spacing at both ends of thehull 10. Inside the hull 10, the molded channel 30 forms a largelongitudinal central rib or keel-like hump 32 running down the center ofthe hull 10. Because of the increasing depth of the snow channel 30toward the rear of the hull 10, the hump 32 becomes more pronouncedtoward the rear as shown in phantom in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 4, side portions of the gunwale 12 are rolledoutward to form a lip 56. This lip 56 curls downward to form a rimportion 58 parallel to the hull 10 and separated therefrom by a gap 60.An outboard hole 62 through the rim portion 58 is aligned with aninboard hole 64 through the hull 10. Molded retaining walls 66A-B, seemin isometric view in FIG. 5 flank the inboard hole 64 and extend outwardfrom the hull 10, part way across the gap 60.

A strap 36 has a grommet 68 at each of its two ends, one of which isshown in FIG. 6. To attach the strap 36 to the hull 10, a grommet hole70 defined by the grommet 60 is aligned with the inboard hole 64. Then,a threaded ½ inch bolt 72 is passed through the grommet hole 70 andthrough the inboard hole 64. The bolt 72 is long enough to extendthrough the inboard hole 64 and all the way to the outboard hole 62.Preferably, the bolt 72 extends approximately 3/16 inches beyond theoutboard hole 62 to ensure adequate support by the edge of the outboardhole 62.

A nut 74 is then threaded onto the bolt 72 to secure the bolt 72 to thehull 10. When the nut 74 is fully tightened, it comes to rest snuglybetween the retaining fins 66A-B, as shown in FIG. 8. The retaining fins66A-B thus limit rotation of the nut 74 in response to torquetransmitted by the strap 36. By doing so, the retaining fins 66A-Breduce the likelihood that the nut 74 will loosen during use. The nut74, the bolt 72, and the walls forming the inboard and outboard holes62, 64 collectively define a strap anchor 65.

Because of its strength, metal is typically used for making the nut 74and bolt 72. However, other materials, such as plastic can be used.

A shear force exerted on the strap 36 is transmitted to the hull 10 bythe bolt 72. However, the hull 10 supports the bolt 72 at two differentpoints, namely at the edge of the inboard hole 64 and also at the edgeof the outboard hole 62. As a result, the strap-anchoring configurationshown in FIGS. 4-6 resists the tendency of the bolt 72 to pivot about asingle support in response to a shear force. It does so by resistingshear force using shear resistance provided by the hull 10 at twodifferent support points.

By concealing the nut 74 and bolt 72 from view, the rim portion 58 ofthe lip provides the hull 10 with a more attractive and streamlinedappearance. This appearance can be enhanced by coloring the end of thebolt 72 or by extending the end of the bolt 72 slightly beyond the rimportion 58 so it can be capped.

In addition, by covering the nut 74 and bolt 72, the rim portion 58 alsoprevents the nut 74 and bolt 72 from snagging on nearby objects, such asthe rider's clothing.

In one embodiment, the strap 36 has a length that varies in response tothe force exerted thereon. An example of such a strap 36 is an elasticstrap as shown in FIG. 7. Another example is a strap 36 having one ormore elastic sections 76A-B, as shown in FIG. 8. In this case, the strap36 has a pair of inelastic grommet sections 78A-B that accommodate thegrommets 68 and a central inelastic section 80 for securing the rider.Each grommet section 78A-B is connected to the central inelastic section80 by a corresponding one of the elastic sections 76A-B. Yet anotherexample, shown in FIG. 9 is a strap 36 having a pair of inelasticgrommet sections 78A-B joined by a central elastic section 82.

Preferably, the elasticity of the strap 36, or the elasticity of anelastic section thereof, is such that the strap 36 changes in length byno more than three inches. A strap 36 that is excessively elastic, inwhich the length changes significantly, will fail to restrain the rider.A strap 36 that has too little elasticity will be uncomfortable in thepresence of high g-forces.

The elastic sections can be made of a manufactured fiber in which thefiber-forming substance is a long-chain synthetic polymer comprised ofat least 85% of a segmented polyurethane. An exemplary fiber havingthese properties is presently sold under the name SPANDEX™. The elasticsections can also be made of a manufactured elastic fiber sold under toname SPANDURA™.

The inelastic sections can be made of a manufactured fiber in which thefiber forming substance is a long-chain synthetic polyamide in whichless than 85% of the amide-linkages are attached directly (—CO—NH—) totwo aliphatic groups. An exemplary fiber having these properties ispresently sold under the name NYLON™.

Another embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, features an elastic section 76A inwhich the elasticity is provided by a spring 84. The spring 84 issheathed by a fabric jacket 86 (opened to expose the spring 84 in FIG.10) to protect the rider's clothing from being caught by the spring 84as it expands and contracts.

The longitudinal position of the strap anchor 65 can be chosen so thatthe strap 36 extends across the hull 10 above the shin pads 40. In thisconfiguration, the strap 36 extends over the rider's thighs. However,the strap 36 can also be placed astern of the shin pads 40 so that thestrap 36 extends over the rider's calves and thereby frees the riderfrom having to ride with fully flexed knees at all times. A rider thusfreed is able to kneel erect or partially erect in the sled, therebyenabling the rider to shift the center-of-mass vertically by a distancethat corresponds to the difference between the rider's fully erectposition and the rider's fully crouched position.

In FIG. 11, the strap 36 can be switched between a rear pair of strapanchors 65 and a forward pair of strap anchors 88 that are structurallythe same as the rear pair of strap anchors 65 but positioned over theshin pads 40. The sled shown in FIG. 11 is thus convertible between theconfiguration shown in FIG. 11, in which the strap 36 secures therider's calves, and a configuration in which the strap 36 secures therider's thighs.

A disadvantage of having a single strap 36 that extends across the hull10 is that in sharp turns, both of the rider's legs are apt to shiftlaterally. This causes the center-of-mass of the combined rider and sledto also shift laterally. This lateral shift during a turn undermines thestability of the turn and, in extreme cases, can capsize the sled.

To avoid this difficulty, another embodiment of the sled features acenter anchor 90 at the mid-line of the hull 10. An exemplary centeranchor 90, shown in FIG. 12, is a longitudinally extending horizontalbar 92 supported over the hull by a vertically-extending bow leg 94A anda vertically-extending stern leg 94B. The bar 92 and the two legs 94A-Bdefine an aperture 96 through which a strap 36 extending transverselyacross the hull 10 passes. When the strap 36 is looped through thecenter anchor 90, as shown in FIG. 12, the rider's legs are individuallysecured. This makes it more difficult for the rider's legs to shiftlaterally in a sharp turn.

In FIG. 13, the single strap 36 extending across the hull 10 is replacedby a pair of straps 98A, 98B, each one of which extends from a strapanchor 65 to the center anchor 90. This embodiment enables the rider toindividually adjust the straps 98A, 98B.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, the center anchor 90 is moldedand/or padded to more closely fit the rider's thighs. This embodimentcan be configured to accommodate a single strap 36 looping through anaperture in the center anchor 90 or a pair of straps extending inopposite directions from the center anchor 90 to each of the two sidesof the hull 10.

The invention has been described in the context of a specificrecreational racing sled. However, the various features of the inventioncan readily be incorporated other types of recreational sleds.

Having described the invention, and a preferred embodiment thereof, Inow claim as being new and secured by letters patent:

1. A sled comprising: a hull; a strap extending transversely across thehull at a first longitudinal position selected such that the strapextends across a calf of a kneeling rider; and a center anchor coupledto the strap.
 2. The sled of claim 1, wherein the strap is adjustablebetween the first longitudinal position and a second longitudinalposition.
 3. The sled of claim 2, wherein the second longitudinalposition is selected such that the strap, when extended across the hullat the second longitudinal position, extends across a thigh of thekneeling rider.
 4. The sled of claim 1, further comprising a first pairof transversely opposed anchor points on opposite sides of the hull forengaging respective first and second ends of the strap, the anchorpoints being disposed astern of a shin-receiving area on the hull suchthat the strap extends across the calves of a kneeling rider.
 5. Thesled of claim 4, further comprising a second pair of anchor pointsdisposed over the shin-receiving area such that a strap extendingbetween the anchor points extends across a thigh of a kneeling rider. 6.The sled of claim 1, further comprising means for selectively engagingthe strap at one of the first longitudinal position and a secondlongitudinal position.
 7. A sled comprising: a hull; a first pair oftransversely opposed anchor points on opposite sides of the hull forengaging respective first and second ends of a strap, the anchor pointsbeing disposed such that a line extending between the anchor pointsextends across the calves of a kneeling rider; and a center anchor forcoupling to a strap.
 8. The sled of claim 7, further comprising a strapextending across the hull between the anchor points, the strap beingcoupled to the center anchor.
 9. The sled of claim 7, further comprisinga second pair of transversely opposed anchor points on opposite side ofthe hull for engaging respective first and second ends of a strap, thesecond pair of anchor points being longitudinally displaced relative tothe first pair of anchor points.
 10. The sled of claim 10, wherein thesecond pair of anchor points is disposed such that a strap extendingbetween the anchor points of the second pair extends across the thighsof the kneeling rider.
 11. The sled of claim 1, wherein the centeranchor comprises a structure molded to conform to the rider, the centeranchor forming an aperture; and wherein the strap passes through theaperture.
 12. The sled of claim 1, wherein the center anchor comprises ahorizontal bar extending longitudinally and supported by vertical legs,the horizontal bar and the vertical legs defining an aperture, andwherein the strap passes through the aperture.
 13. The sled of claim 1,wherein the strap is detachably coupled to the center anchor.
 14. Thesled of claim 7, wherein the center anchor comprises a structure moldedto conform to the rider, the center structure forming an aperture forreceiving a strap.
 15. The sled of claim 7, wherein the center anchorcomprises a horizontal bar extending supported by vertical legs, thehorizontal bar and the vertical legs defining an aperture for receivinga strap.
 16. The sled of claim 7, wherein the center anchor isconfigured for detachable coupling to a strap.